Penguin’s death sparks political row

Eight were brought to Mumbai from South Korean aquarium

Aday after a female Humboldt Penguin, a prized new possession of Mumbai Zoo, died following an infection, a political row erupted here yesterday as activists questioned the wisdom of keeping the endangered species in the harsh tropical climate of the metropolis.

The penguin was among eight which were brought to Mumbai from a South Korean aquarium on July 26, and was undergoing acclimatisation before going on public view in November at the Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan, or Mumbai Zoo.

It is the pet project of Yuva Sena Chief Aditya, son of Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray, and the duo is now under fire from Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) for bringing the flightless birds to Mumbai.

MNS corporator and state spokesperson Sandeep Deshpande shot off a letter to Municipal Commissioner Ajoy Mehta demanding that the remaining seven Humboldts be immediately sent back to ensure their survival.

Criticism

Deshpande said Humboldt Penguins can only thrive in a cold climate and not a warm place such as Mumbai and that MNS and environmentalists had been protesting against acquiring such exotic creatures right from the beginning.

“However, the civic authorities blew up Rs2.50 crore [Rs25 million or Dh1.37 million] of taxpayers’ money to acquire these birds … One innocent penguin has died — Who is responsible for this,” Deshpande wondered.

Stung by the MNS criticism that the project was implemented to fulfil Aditya’s ‘childish stubbornness’, Uddhav Thackeray sharply countered by advising Deshpande “to save the party before saving the penguins”.